News: Navy, DCMA paddles to win in Philly

A team of sailors from Naval Support Activity Philadelphia prepare to paddle in the Philadelphia’s 2012 Independence Dragon Boat Regatta. The team included Navy Lt. j.g. Hisham Semaan, a Supply Corps officer working as a contract administrator at Defense Contract Management Agency Philadelphia. (Photo by Kathryn Haughney)

PHILADELPHIA - A contract administrator from Defense Contract Management Agency Philadelphia was a member of a Navy team that captured the Commander’s Cup at the 6th Annual Independence Dragon Boat Regatta here recently.

“We had several training sessions prior to the event,” said Navy Lt. j.g. Hisham Semaan, a Supply Corps officer assigned to the Philadelphia contract management office. “We took home the first place trophy like we do every year due to the solid effort put forth by the team, and simply because no other military branch can compete with the Navy in the water.”

Semaan served on the Naval Weapon Systems Support team, which also included sailors from Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support. Naval Weapon Systems Support, DLA Troop Support and DCMA Philadelphia are all located on Naval Support Activity Philadelphia.

The Naval Weapon Systems Support team beat one Air Force and two Army teams to earn top military honors, and took second place overall in the men’s division, narrowly losing to the Chinatown Dragon Boat Team of Philadelphia.

“We had to rely on some good seamanship to deal with a strong current from Friday night’s rainstorm, which meant dodging logs and other debris on the race course, and there was a good cross wind throughout the day that added to the challenge,” said team captain Navy Cmdr. Matt Holman.

The annual race pits teams of up to 20 paddlers in a three-heat, 500 meter race on the Schuylkill River. This year 65 teams participated in the regatta. It was the Naval Weapon Systems Support team’s fourth year of involvement and fourth consecutive Commander’s Cup victory.